Accounting Officers

Vincent Cable: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer on how many occasions since 1 June he has been informed of a Minister issuing a direction to an accounting officer as set out in paragraphs 14 to 17 of the Treasury document, The Responsibilities of an Accounting Officer; on which grounds the note of dissent was issued; and if he will make a statement.

Stephen Timms: The Treasury has not been informed of any directions issued by Ministers to Accounting Officers under this guidance, since the reply given to the hon. Member by my predecessor on 8 July 2004, Official Report, column 810W.

European Union

John Hayes: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list activities in which his Department has been involved to promote the benefits of the Government's policy towards the European Union; what the costs were; what partner organisations were involved; and if he will make a statement.

Stephen Timms: The Government works with a wide range of partners to develop and communicate its policy towards the European Union, including the CBI, Chambers of Commerce, trade unions and more, including other EU member states and EU institutions. Costs of these activities are covered from departmental budgets, as set out in annual departmental reports.

GDP (Pendle)

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the per capita GDP was for the Pendle local authority area in each year since 1995.

Stephen Timms: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
	Letter from Len Cook to Mr. Gordon Prentice, dated 15 December 2004
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about GDP per capita for Pendle local authority. (205007)
	Pendle local authority is in Lancashire County Council (NUTS3 area), which is currently the lowest geographic level at which GVA per capita is published. The latest published information is for 2001.
	The estimates in table A are based on the regional Gross Value Added 1 (GVA) estimates published in December 2003. These are available on the National Statistics website at http://www. statistics.gov.uk/statbase/Product.asp?vlnk=10904&More=n
	
		Table A
		
			  Gross value added (GVA) 1 per head for Lancashire County Council (NUTS3 area) at current basic prices 1995 to 2001 
		
		
			 1995 9,791 
			 1996 10,141 
			 1997 10,527 
			 1998 10,996 
			 1999 11,496 
			 2000 12,034 
			 2001 12,534 
		
	
	(2) Information presented here is Gross Value Added (GVA) which is Gross Domestic Product (GDP) less taxes (plus subsidies) on products.

Inland Revenue and Customs

Jim Cousins: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the topics are of the group litigation orders brought against the Inland Revenue and Customs which were resolved in the last 12 months; how many litigants participated in each group; what the name was of each corporate litigant; and whether each was registered (a) in the UK and (b) in another jurisdiction.

Dawn Primarolo: The Inland Revenue is dealing with six categories of company group litigation order as follows:
	Franked Investment Income—13 claimant groups
	Foreign Income Dividends—20 claimant groups
	Thin Capitalisation—15 claimant groups
	Controlled Foreign Companies—24 claimant groups
	Loss Relief Group Litigation—74 claimant groups
	Advance Corporation Tax—around 750 claimant groups
	To the extent that litigants' names are in the public domain, they can be obtained from the High Court, where they are not in the public domain it would be inappropriate to disclose them.
	Approximately 50 of the companies concerned are not resident in the UK 24 cases were settled finally in 2004.
	HM Customs and Excise have not received any group litigation orders.

Inland Revenue (Overpayments)

Frank Field: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, 
	(1)  what the average time is from the receipt of a completed TC846 form, for a decision to be made by the Inland Revenue on an appeal against its decision to recover tax credit overpayments;
	(2)  how many completed TC846 forms have been received by the Inland Revenue requesting a reconsideration of its decision to recover tax credits for (a) the 2003–04 tax year and (b) the current tax year.

Dawn Primarolo: holding answer 7 December 2004
	For the number of forms received, I refer the hon. Member to my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Middlesbrough, South and Cleveland, East (Dr. Kumar) today.
	Information on the average time taken to deal with these requests is not available.

Landfill

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much landfill tax has been paid by operators on (a) in-house and (b) merchant landfill sites in each year since 1997.

John Healey: Landfill tax receipts are routinely published by HM Customs and Excise at www. uktradeinfo.com in the Landfill Tax Bulletin.
	Separate data on landfill tax paid by operators on (a) in-house and (b) merchant landfill sites is not available.

MRSA

Brian Cotter: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many people have died of MRSA in care homes, as a proportion of total MRSA deaths, in each of the last five years.

Stephen Timms: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
	Letter from Len Cook to Mr. Brian Cotter, dated 15 December 2004
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent question asking how many people have died of MRS A in care homes, as a proportion of total MRS A deaths in each of the last five years. (204586)
	The latest year for which figures are available is 2002. Figures on deaths in care homes in England and Wales for the years 1998 to 2002, where MRS A was mentioned anywhere on death certificate, are given in the table.
	
		Deaths in care homes(4)where MRSA was a contributory factor(5), in care homes, England and Wales, 1998–2002(6)
		
			   Number Percentage of all MRSA deaths 
		
		
			 1998 42 10.2 
			 1999 38 7.8 
			 2000 51 7.6 
			 2001 53 7.2 
			 2002 53 6.6 
		
	
	(4) Care homes were defined as NHS and non-NHS nursing homes, local authority residential homes and private residential homes
	(5) Identified using the methodology described in Griffiths C, Lamagni TL, Crowcroft NS, Duckworth G and Rooney C (2004) Trends in MRSA in England and Wales: analysis of morbidity and mortality data for 1993–2002. Health Statistics Quarterly 21, 15–22,
	(6) Figures are for deaths occurring in 1998 to 2002.

Savings

Jim Cousins: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the outstanding stock of (a) cash ISAs, (b) insurance ISAs and (c) equity ISAs was on 31 March (i) 2001, (ii) 2002, (iii) 2003 and (iv) 2004; and what the net change in stock was for the years (A) 2002, (B) 2003 and (C) 2004.

Stephen Timms: Figures of outstanding stocks of cash, insurance and equity ISAs are available in table 9.6 of Inland Revenue Statistics published on the Inland Revenue website; http://newinternet.inrev.gov.uk/stats/isa/table9 6 september04.pdf

Blue Badge Parking Scheme

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 
	(1)  what assessment he has made of the report from the Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Team on the Blue Badge Parking Scheme; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what plans he has to reform the Blue Badge Parking Scheme to ensure that (a) local authorities are more circumspect in issuing Blue Badges and (b) there are sufficient disabled parking spaces to accommodate Blue Badge parking holders;
	(3)  what steps he is taking to prevent abuse of the Blue Badge Scheme;
	(4)  what discussions he has had with local authorities regarding (a) reform of and (b) abuse of the Blue Badge Scheme;
	(5)  what plans he has to ensure greater security of the Blue Badge Scheme.

Charlotte Atkins: The information requested is as follows:
	Review of the Blue Badge Scheme
	Careful and detailed consideration was given to the report and each of the recommendations made by the Disabled Persons' Transport Advisory Committee (DPTAC) following the review of the scheme. We accepted the majority of their 47 recommendations.
	Work is in hand to take forward the recommendations. Changes need to be made to primary and secondary legislation, further research needs to be carried out and revised guidance issued to local authorities. On the latter, we will be issuing new guidance to local authorities on all aspects of the scheme, including assessment of applications to encourage consistency in the issue of badges.
	We have already secured the necessary slots for the primary legislation. We intend to consult on changes to the regulations and draft guidance by spring 2005.
	Abuse
	Theft of blue badges and abuse of the Blue Badge Scheme is of concern to the Department. Measures exist to tackle abuse as follows:
	it an offence under Section 117 of The Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 for the badge itself to be misused by a non-disabled person, the maximum fine on conviction being £1,000;
	local authorities have powers to withdraw a badge if the holder constantly misuses it or allows it to be misused by others;
	it is an offence under Section 47 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 to park a vehicle which is not displaying a badge in a designated disabled persons' parking bay.
	We are also taking forward a number of additional enforcement measures following the review. These include an important power for the police, traffic wardens and local authority parking enforcement officers to inspect badges to check details and the photograph of the badge holder. We have already made provision for this in the Traffic Management Act 2004 and we aim to bring that power into effect by commencement order in the spring next year. This will allow time to produce and consult on the guidance that will be needed by those who will be exercising the new power. We are also looking at the feasibility of establishing a national database of badge holders; the introduction of smartcard technology; increasing penalties for abuse and misuse of the scheme and re-introducing a hologram onto the blue badge as an additional security measure.
	Interaction with local authorities
	Local authorities were involved throughout the review process and were able to feed in their views and make representations to the Department on all aspects of the scheme. In taking forward the remaining recommendations we will continue to involve and consult local authorities.
	Provision of disabled person parking spaces
	The provision of parking spaces is a matter for local authorities. They have a wide range of powers under The Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 to provide parking places, including designated bays for disabled people. The decision to provide such bays is ultimately for the local authority.

Departmental Expenditure

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on energy costs incurred by his Department in each of the last two years.

Charlotte Atkins: The energy costs recorded by the Department over 2003–03 and 2003–04 are as follows.
	
		
			 £ 
			  Electricity Gas Oil Total 
			  2002–03 2003–04 2002–03 2003–04 2002–03 2003–04 2002–03 2003–04 
		
		
			 GMH 276,995 305,312 18,925 21,798 0 0 295,920 327,110 
			 AAIB 9,300 8,900 0 0 9,500 8,800 18,800 17,700 
			 MAIB 3,606 5,132 506 730 0 0 4,112 5,862 
			 DSA 210,678 196,735 0 60,419 0 0 210,678 257,154 
			 DVLA 560,399 557,518 120,693 129,053 0 0 681,092 686,571 
			 HA 172,006 174,428 36,959 36,721 2,925 1,942 211,890 213,091 
			 MCA 380,050 377,329 68,006 73,991 0 0 448,056 451,320 
			 VGA 11,698 6,848 1,321 1,628 4,654 5,175 17,673 13,651 
			 VOSA 301,027 417,660 76,509 147,659 0 22,302 377,536 587,621 
			 Total 1,925,759 2,049,862 322,918 471,999 17,079 38,219 2,265,757 2,560,080 
		
	
	Overall the increase in costs is 13 per cent. although the figures for costs alone can be misleading if not placed within the wider context of changes in unit price, areas measured, levels of consumption and improved record keeping. The DfT estate comprises some 1,170 properties of varying size, use and nature of occupation and it is therefore not possible to make any comprehensive or definitive statements about energy cost increases on such a diverse estate, which may be attributable to these and other factors.
	Increases and decreases in unit charges and area occupied can also mask efforts to improve energy efficiency so a better measure of performance is consumption where the overall usage was down 2.2 per cent. over the same period. For more details on consumption I would refer the hon. Member to my answer of 20 October 2004 to the hon. Member for Ashford (Mr. Green), Official Report, columns 687–88W.
	The Department will continue to aim to reduce energy consumption and meet other energy targets set out in the Framework for Sustainable Development in the Government Estate.

Leigh-Manchester Busway

Andy Burnham: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to reach a final decision on the planning inquiry and subsequent work on the Leigh to Manchester guided busway.

David Jamieson: holding answer 14 December 2004
	Following a public inquiry into this scheme under the Transport and Works Act, the Department asked the Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive (GMPTE) to provide additional environmental information. GMPTE provided this further material in October 2004 and gave an opportunity for interested parties to make representations to the Department by 2 December. We have now asked GMPTE for their comments on the six representations received. When we receive their response we will consider whether we should re-open the public inquiry or deal with the new issues by means of written exchanges. It is therefore too early to say when we will be in a position to decide the application.

Ministerial Visits

Tom Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when (a) he and (b) other Ministers from his Department have visited Switzerland; and what plans he has for future visits by Ministers from his Department.

Charlotte Atkins: The Department for Transport was formed on 29 May 2002. Since that date no Ministers from the Department have undertaken a departmental visit to Switzerland and none are currently planned.

Cockling

Tim Collins: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, 
	(1)  if she will make a statement on plans to introduce a licensing system for cockling (a) in Morecambe Bay and (b) elsewhere;
	(2)  what assistance her Department is offering to Cumbria police in their efforts to regulate the cockling in Morecambe Bay;
	(3)  what estimate she has made of the tonnage of immature cockles removed from Morecambe Bay in the past 12 months; and what assessment she has made of (a) the ecological and economic consequences of overfishing of cockles in Morecambe Bay and (b) trends in the (i) number and (ii) point of origin of cocklers operating in Morecambe Bay.

Ben Bradshaw: Management of local inshore fisheries is the responsibility of Sea Fisheries Committees.
	North Western and North Wales Sea Fisheries Committee (NWNWSFC) is responsible for managing the cockle fishery in Morecambe Bay, and runs a permit scheme for one of the cockle beds within Morecambe Bay. NWNWSFC are currently considering extending this scheme to cover the whole of their district, and the Government are currently considering how we can best support this proposal.
	NWNWSFC are responsible for enforcing their own byelaws. There have been a number of joint enforcement exercises planned and executed with, among others, the local police, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), Inland Revenue, and Immigration Service.
	Fishing is inherently dangerous. On Morecambe Bay the problem is mainly one of ensuring people in control of commercial cockling have proper regard for their own health and safety and that of their workers, taking account of the Bay's tidal conditions and characteristics. The HSE has drawn up and issued safety guidelines to those involved in the fishery. These provide the basis for inspections on the Bay, and at other tidal areas and estuaries around the British coastline. Since the unfortunate tragedy in February the most relevant local organisations have come together in the "Morecambe Bay Intertidal Shellfisheries Joint Liaison Group" to improve the management of cockling activity on the Bay through exchange of intelligence, and coordinated enforcement activity.
	NWNWSFC monitor cockle stocks in Morecambe Bay and have powers to introduce appropriate management measures should they consider the pattern of exploitation warrants it.
	The Morecambe Bay Intertidal Shellfisheries Joint Liaison Group regularly reviews the activities of cocklers in Morecambe Bay and is aware of the numbers involved and, in many cases, there national origin.

Commercial Whaling

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will outline the Government's policy towards commercial whaling; and if she will make a statement.

Ben Bradshaw: holding answer 14 December 2004
	The Government is opposed to all forms of whaling other than limited whaling by indigenous people to meet objectively defined subsistence needs. We strongly support the International Whaling Commission's moratorium on commercial whaling and believe that properly regulated whale-watching is the only truly sustainable use of whale resources.

Departmental Telephones

Sue Doughty: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what the estimated cost to her Department of unauthorised personal calls made by members of staff to (a) domestic numbers and (b) international numbers was in the last year for which figures are available.

Alun Michael: The Department permits reasonable telephone access for staff to make personal calls to domestic numbers. Where there is a managed telecommunications service, call charges are for the most part absorbed into a fixed extension cost. In cases where telecommunications services are owned by the Department call charges are incurred for domestic calls, although without intensive call logging it is impossible to differentiate between personal and business calls. The majority of extensions have international call barring unless such access is an operational necessity.

Environmental Offences

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many prosecutions resulted in (a) convictions and (b) custodial sentences in each year since 1999 for offences related to (i) water resources, (ii) flood defences, (iii) fisheries, (iv) navigation, (v) process industry regulation, (vi) radioactive substances, (vii) waste and (viii) water quality as recorded in the National Enforcement Database; and what the average fines were where custodial sentences were awarded (A) in total and (B) broken down by region.

Alun Michael: The information requested is provided in the following table.
	
		Environment agency: successful prosecutions and custodial sentences, calendar years 1999 to 2004 Date of report: 29 November 2004
		
			  Total convictions/custodial sentences 
			  (7)1999 2000 2001 
		
		
			 Fisheries 0 0 27 0 22 0 
			 Flood defence 2 0 1 0 2 0 
			 Navigation 3 0 6 0 3 0 
			 PIR 6 0 12 0 7 0 
			 RAS 3 0 3 0 11 0 
			 Water quality 177 0 219 0 234 0 
			 Water resources 6 0 21 0 10 0 
			 Waste 246 3 408 5 471 10 
		
	
	
		
			  Total convictions/custodial sentences 
			  2002 2003 (8)2004 
		
		
			 Fisheries 48 0 34 0 28 0 
			 Flood defence 1 0 5 0 9 0 
			 Navigation 15 0 32 0 20 0 
			 PIR 3 0 5 0 1 0 
			 RAS 1 0 3 0 2 0 
			 Water quality 220 0 167 0 154 1 
			 Water resources 11 0 6 0 15 0 
			 Waste 498 4 406 7 374 7 
		
	
	(7) April to December.
	(8) January to October.

Environmental Pollution Royal Commission

Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what funding her Department has allocated to the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution in each of the last 10 years; what plans she has for future levels of funding for the organisation; and if she will make a statement.

Elliot Morley: Over the last 10 years, the Department has allocated funding as provided in the table below:
	
		
			   £000 
			 Financial year Allocation Expenditure 
		
		
			 1995–96 726 742 
			 1996–97 729 732 
			 1997–98 788 773 
			 1998–99 769 778 
			 1999–2000 819 835 
			 2000–01 785 784 
			 2001–02 1,046 1,032 
			 2002–03 999 970 
			 2003–04 967 958 
			 2004–05 979 1,010 
		
	
	Currently there are no plans to change the funding level of the RCEP.

Environmental Regulation

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps her Department takes to make sure that the cost and rigour of environmental regulation in the UK compares favourably with that of current and prospective members of the European Union.

Elliot Morley: All Defra's policies are developed using impact assessments that consider the economic, social and environmental effects of different policy options. The majority of UK environment legislation comes from the EU and to ensure the quality of legislation Defra must work effectively with our EU partners and the European institutions to shape policy. Defra has an excellent international reputation for usefully influencing EU legislation. Notable recent successes in the EU include bringing about changes to the REACH chemical proposal to reduce the its burden on business.
	Defra's internal organisation promotes detailed scrutiny of policy proposals during their development. Economists form part of policy teams in advising both on costs and benefits and on the best ways to achieve policy goals. In April 2004, Defra's Better Regulation Unit (BRU) was enlarged to promote the Better Regulation agenda. It plays a role in scrutinising policy and in advising policy teams on aspects of policy making. The BRU are also undertaking studies into red tape and the cumulative burden on business of the whole stock of Defra regulations. Here, as in many other areas of Defra's work, Defra benefits from close contact and comparison with other EU member states. A recent example is the work done in the BRU to reduce red tape and administrative burdens on business, building on a Dutch methodology. One of the nine principles of policymaking promoted in Defra is the need to be outward looking—to draw on experience in other countries and regions.

Nitrates

Alex Salmond: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions she has had with the Scottish Executive regarding (a) nitrate vulnerable zones and (b) nitrate derogations.

Elliot Morley: The Department has regular contact with the Scottish Executive on all matters regarding the implementation of the Nitrates Directive. Additionally, the Scottish Executive is a member of the project board that oversees the development of research in relation to the intended UK justification to the EU Commission in support of a derogation to allow a higher application limit for manure nitrogen within its Action Programmes.

Nuclear Waste

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment has been made of the potential for plasma gasification melting technology to deal with nuclear waste.

Elliot Morley: The Department has made no such assessment. However, the independent Committee on Radioactive Waste Management (CoRWM), which has been set up by UK Government and the devolved administrations, is currently considering a wide range of options for the long-term management of the UK's higher activity radioactive waste and is very happy to receive suggestions via its website—www.corwm.org.uk.

Oil Pollution

Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what representations she has received from (a) the Environment Agency and (b) the Environmental Industries Commission on oil pollution of inland waters; and if she will make a statement.

Elliot Morley: My officials are in regular contact with the Environment Agency who are responsible for enforcing the Control of Pollution (Oil Storage) (England) Regulations 2001 which were introduced to prevent pollution of surface and ground waters. I have received representations from the Environmental Industries Commission relating to its report "Oil under the Carpet" which calls for the regulations to be strengthened. My view remains that this would be premature, given that the requirements do not come fully into force until September 2005 and there has already been an encouraging fall in the number of oil pollution incidents reported since the regulations were made.

Organophosphates

Paul Tyler: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what products containing organophosphates are authorised for use in the United Kingdom, in (a) agriculture, (b) horticulture, (c) industrial and (d) domestic circumstances; by which companies each is manufactured; what quantities she estimates were supplied in each of the last three years; and if she will make a statement on their future use.

Alun Michael: A list of products for use in agriculture and horticulture which contain organophosphates and are currently approved by the Pesticides Safety Directorate is provided in the attached table. The table also lists separately the organophosphate veterinary products approved for use in domestic circumstances and as sheep dips. There are no approved pesticide products containing organophosphates approved in domestic gardens, industrial products and domestic uses other than plant protection products are approved by the Health and Safety Executive.
	Information on the quantities of each pesticide is not available as these data are not gathered by the Pesticides Safety Directorate. Data on total sales is collected for the purposes of the levy, but this does not include information on individual products. The Veterinary Medicines Directorate does not collect comprehensive data on the sales of veterinary medicines containing organophosphates (OPs), other than sheep dips. This is because OP sheep dips have always been regarded as presenting the greatest potential risk to human health. These sales data are collected under the adverse reaction surveillance scheme, and have been used to put into context the numbers of serious human adverse reactions being reported for OP sheep dips. The number of such adverse reactions reported to other OP based veterinary medicines is negligible. This year we have received no adverse reaction reports to any OP based veterinary medicine, including sheep dips.
	The most recent figures available which covers sales in the year 2003 show that there were 54,000 kg of organophosphate active ingredients sold in such products. Given a sheep population of around 36 million in the UK, this equates to about 1.5 grams of active used on each sheep per year.
	Future use of organophosphates
	Veterinary Medicines:
	The independent scientific Veterinary Products Committee, which advises agriculture and health Ministers on all aspects of veterinary medicines, takes t he safety of organophosphates very seriously and keeps their use in veterinary medicines under regular review. It has recently confirmed its advice that, on the basis of the current scientific evidence, there is no need to take any further regulatory action on these products, provided they are used in accordance with the manufacturers' instructions.
	Pesticides:
	All agricultural pesticides are subject to strict regulatory control and must be approved by Ministers before they can be marketed or used in the UK. Data are thoroughly evaluated by the Pesticides Safety Directorate. PSD's evaluation is subject to independent scrutiny by the Advisory Committee an Pesticides. All pesticide approvals are subject to a regular review programme including organophosphates, and a specific review may be activated at any time if evidence emerges concerning their safety. If appropriate, an approval can be restricted or revoked entirely.
	
		Currently approved pesticide products containing organophosphates
		
			 Product MAFF No. Approval Holder(s) Agricultural Horticultural 
		
		
			 Actellic D M10509 Syngenta Crop Protection UK Ltd. X  
			 Actellic Smoke Generator No.10 M10448 Octavius Hunt Ltd. X  
			 Actellic Smoke Generator No. 20 M06627 Zeneca Ltd. X  
			 Actellic Smoke Generator No. 20 M10540 Octavius.Hunt Ltd. X X 
			 Agriguard Chlorpyrifos M10626 Tronsan Ltd. X X 
			 Aliette 80 WG M09156 Aventis CropScience UK Ltd.  X 
			 Aliette 80 WG M11213 Bayer CropScience Ltd.  X 
			 Alpha Chlorpyrifos 48EC M04821 Makhteshim-Agan (UK) Ltd. X X 
			 Aventis Mocap 10G M09973 Aventis CropScience UK Ltd. X X 
			 Ballad M11659 Cheminova Agro A/S X X 
			 Barclay Clinch II M08596 Barclay Chemicals Manufacturing Ltd. X X 
			 Barclay Clinch II M11346 Barclay Chemicals (R & D) Ltd. X X 
			 BASF Dimethoate 40 M00199 BASF pic X X 
			 Basilex M07494 The Scotts Company (UK) Ltd. X X 
			 Chevron 48 M10645 DAPT Agrochemicals Ltd. X X 
			 Choir M09778 Cheminova Agro A/S X X 
			 Cleancrop Pychlorex M11681 Chimac-Agriphar SA X X 
			 Crossfire 480 M08141 Dow AgroSciences Ltd. X X 
			 Crossfire 480 M09929 Dow AgroSciences Ltd. — X 
			 CYREN M08358 Cheminova Agro A/S — X 
			 Cyren M11028 Cheminova A/S X X 
			 Danadim M09583 Cheminova Agro A/S X X 
			 Danadim M11550 Cheminova Agro A/S X X 
			 Dispatch M08139 Dow AgroSciences Ltd. — X 
			 Duramitex M08664 Harkers Ltd. X X 
			 Dursban 4 M07815 Dow AgroSciences Ltd. X X 
			 Dursban WG M09153 Dow AgroSciences Ltd. X X 
			 Equity M11520 Dow AgroSciences Ltd. X X 
			 Fumite Pirimiphos Methyl Smoke M00941 Octavius Hunt Ltd. — X 
			 Fyfanon 440 M11014 Cheminova Agro A/S — X 
			 Fyfanon 440 M11134 Cheminova Agro A/S — X 
			 Greencrop Pontoon M09667 Greencrop Technology Ltd. X X 
			 Greencrop Storeclean 225 M11098 Greencrop Technology Ltd. X X 
			 IT. Fosetyl-AL M11717 IT Agro Ltd. — X 
			 Lorsban 480 M08076 Dow AgroSciences Ltd. X X 
			 Lorsban T M07813 Dow AgroSciences Ltd. — X 
			 Lorsban WG M10139 Dow AgroSciences Ltd. X X 
			 Lorsban WG M11962 Dow AgroSciences Ltd. X X 
			 Malathion 60 M08018 United Phosphorus Ltd. X X 
			 Maraud M09274 Dow AgroSciences Ltd. — X 
			 Me2 Cindy M10634 Me2 Crop Protection Limited X X 
			 Mocap 10G M10003 Bayer CropScience Ltd. X X 
			 Nemathorin 10G M11003 ISK Biosciences Europe SA X X 
			 Prostore157 UI M12017 FMC Chemical s.p.r.l X X 
			 Prostore 420 EC M12036 FMC Chemical s.p.r.l X X 
			 Prostore 420EC M12210 FMC Chemical s.p.r.l X X 
			 Pyrinex 48EC M08644 Makhteshim-Agan (UK) Ltd. X X 
			 Reldan 22 M08191 Dow AgroSciences Ltd. X X 
			 Rizolex M09673 Sumitomo Chemical Agro Europe SA X X 
			 Rizolex 50 WP M07272 Sumitomo Chemical Agro Europe SA X X 
			 Rizolex Flowable M09358 Sumitomo Chemical Agro Europe SA X X 
			 Rizolex Flowable M11399 Sumitomo Chemical Agro Europe SA X — 
			 Roger L40 M07611 Isagro S. p. A X X 
			 Sector M10492 Cheminova Agro A/S X X 
			 Spannit M08744 SumiAgro (UK) Ltd. X X 
			 Spannit Granules M10935 SumiAgro (UK) Ltd. — X 
			 Standon Chlorpyrifos 48 M08286 Standon Chemicals Ltd. — X 
			 Standon Fosetyl-AL 80WG M10667 Standon Chemicals Ltd. — X 
			 Suscon Green Soil Insecticide M06312 Dow AgroSciences Ltd. — X 
		
	
	
		Currently authorised veterinary medicinal products containing organophosphates
		
			 Product Marketing Authorisation Holder Domestic pet treatments Sheep Dip 
		
		
			 Armitage Pet Care Protect Flea and Tick Collar for Dogs Virbac Sa X  
			 Armitage Pet Care Protect Flea Collar for Cats Virbac Sa X  
			 Bob Martin Flash Cat Reflective Collar for Cats and Kittens Over 6 Months Old Virbac Sa X  
			 Bob Martin Flea and Tick Collar for Dogs Virbac Sa X  
			 Bob Martin Flea and Tick Collar Plus Coat Conditioner Virbac Sa X  
			 Bob Martin Flea Collar for Cats Virbac Sa X  
			 Bob Martin Soft Touch Flea Collar Virbac Sa X  
			 Bob Martin Velvet Flea Collar for Cats and Kittens Virbac Sa X  
			 Catovel Pretty Care Elasticated Insecticidal Collar for Cats Virbac Sa X  
			 Coopers Ectoforce Sheep Dip Schering Plough —  
			 Friskies Cat Flea Collar Alfamed Sa X  
			 Friskies Flea and Tick Collar for Dogs Alfamed Sa X  
			 Friskies Pro Control Flea and Tick Collar for Dogs Alfamed Sa X  
			 Friskies Pro Control Flea Collar for Cats Alfamed Sa X  
			 Good Girl Flea Collar for Cats Beaphar Ltd. X  
			 Hi-Craft Flea and Tick Collar for Dogs Beaphar Ltd. X  
			 Johnson's Flea Guard Collar for Cats Virbac Sa X  
			 Osmonds Gold Fleece Sheep Dip Cross Vetpharm Group Ltd X  
			 Otello Insecticidal Collar for Cats Virbac Sa X  
			 Otello Insecticidal Collar for Dogs Virbac Sa X  
			 Otello Insecticidal Collar for Large Dogs Virbac Sa X  
			 Paracide Plus Animax Ltd. X  
			 Pestroy 3 Months Cat Collar Virbac Sa X  
			 Pet Star Dog Flea And Tick Collar Beaphar Ltd. X  
			 Prevender Cat Virbac Sa X  
			 Preventef Insecticidal Collar for Dogs Virbac Sa X  
			 Preventef Insecticidal Collar for Large Dogs Virbac Sa X  
			 Preventef Insecticidal Collar for Puppies and Young Dogs Virbac Sa X  
			 Protection 300 Insecticidal Collar Virbac Sa X  
			 Salmosan(9) Novartis Animal Vaccines Ltd. X  
			 Sergeants Flea Collar for Cats Conagra Pet Products X  
			 Sergeants Flea Collar for Dogs Conagra Pet Products X  
			 Sergeants Flea Collar for Large Dogs Conagra Pet Products X  
			 Seven Seas Kytzyme Flea Rid Luxury Velvet Collar Virbac Sa X  
			 Seven Seas Vetzyme Flea Rid Reflective Flea Collar Virbac Sa X  
			 Seven Seas Vetzyme Flea Rid Reflective Flea Collar for Dogs Virbac Sa X  
			 Seven Seas Vetzyme Flea Rid Reflective Flea Collar for Large Dogs Virbac Sa X  
			 Twin Pack two Collars Bob Martin Flea and Tick for Dogs and Puppies Over 12 Weeks Old Virbac Sa X — 
			 Whiskas Care Flea Collar Beaphar Ltd X — 
			 Wilko Long Lasting Flea Collar for Cats Virbac Sa X — 
		
	
	(9) Approved for use as a commercial fisheries product

Sewage Discharges (River Thames)

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much sewage was discharged into the Thames in each month of the last four years.

Elliot Morley: Table 1 sets out the monthly flow data of sewage discharges from Abingdon, Cassington, Little Marlow and Windsor treatment works directly to the upper freshwater section of the Thames. Secondary and more stringent treatment is provided to the sewage prior to discharge at Abingdon, Little Marlow and Windsor. Discharges from Cassington receive secondary treatment, and are to receive more stringent treatment in 2005.
	
		Table 1
		
			 Month 2001 2002 2003 2004 
		
		
			 January 2,467,930 1,364,441 2,662,071 1,717,430 
			 February 2,559,654 1,758,236 1,824,948 1,560,620 
			 March 2,732,630 1,736,920 1,749,267 1,509,818 
			 April 2,476,747 1,395,060 1,543,983 1,576,418 
			 May 2,234,910 1,531,603 1,656,310 1,330,036 
			 June 1,872,673 1,393,458 1,568,915 1,098,837 
			 July 1,740,616 1,355,047 1,391,433 1,201,917 
			 August 1,557,598 1,618,557 1,287,003 1,394,409 
			 September 1,515,436 1,528,801 1,171,360 1,482,751 
			 October 1,596,579 1,706,734 1,198,676 1,627,493 
			 November 1,268,180 2,047,635 1,433,187 1,709,499 
			 December 1,120,988 1,997,761 1,564,898 n/a 
		
	
	Note:
	All figures are in cubic metres.
	Sewage discharges to the Thames estuary are made by three water companies Thames, Anglian and Southern. The following tables concern discharges made by Thames Water.
	Table 2 sets out the average monthly volumes of fully treated, to secondary standards, and partially treated, because of excess flows during wet weather, sewage discharges to the Thames from Beckton, Crossness, Long Reach, Mogden and Riverside treatment works. I have provided the monthly average as the volumes are fairly constant throughout the year.
	
		Table 2
		
			  Fully treated sewage from five treatment works Partially treated sewage from five treatment works 
		
		
			 2001 75,883,503 1,851,077 
			 2002 73,356,102 2,209,715 
			 2003 75,878,615 1,234,308 
			 2004 70,313,523 1,123,331 
		
	
	Table 3 sets out the monthly calculated volumes of untreated sewage discharged to the Thames from the five largest pumping stations during wet weather. As no data is available for the other overflows along the Thames Tideway, it is estimated that on average these volumes represent 60 per cent. of the total discharge from London's combined drainage system at these times.
	
		Table 3
		
			 Month 2001 2002 2003 2004 
		
		
			 January 3,471,000 3,009,000 12,954,000 9,281,000 
			 February 9,279,000 4,746,000 3,759,000 3,240,000 
			 March 8,118,000 2,761,000 743,000 44,000 
			 April 2,688,000 2,662,000 395,000 3,665,000 
			 May 2,322,000 2,007,000 543,000 3,268,000 
			 June 1,757,000 3,353,000 950,000 3,047,000 
			 July 1,742,000 1,962,000 1,124,000 1,260,000 
			 August 4,490,000 4,017,000 438,000 4,945,000 
			 September 2,261,000 563,000 577,000 446,000 
			 October 6,312,000 3,961,000 2,600,000 4,290,000 
			 November 2,400,000 12,144,000 11,072,000 304,000 
			 December 1,096,000 11,755,000 6,064,000 n/a

Supermarkets

Richard Bacon: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs with which supermarkets her Department has had discussions regarding policies on stocking UK-produced food.

Alun Michael: As part of the Defra funded £3 million programme of support for the quality regional food sector, Food From Britain have held discussions with Asda, Booths, Budgens, the Co-op, Londis, Morrisons, Sainsbury's and Waitrose to understand their local sourcing policies and to work with them and regional food groups to get more quality regional foods listed.
	In addition, as part of the work under the "Action plan to develop organic food and farming in England" my ministerial colleague, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary, (Ben Bradshaw), has had meetings in the last 12 months with representatives of Tesco, Asda and Morrisons. Officials have also had regular contact with the British Retail Consortium and the Association of Convenience Stores regarding local sourcing.

Waste

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how much public money was spent on collecting and managing municipal waste in England in each year between 1997 and 2002; and how much on average it cost to collect and manage one tonne of municipal waste in the UK in each year.

Elliot Morley: The amount of public money spent on collecting and managing municipal waste in England in each y ear between 1 997 and 2 002 is set out in the table below. These figures include the amount of landfill tax paid, which does not form part of the net cost of waste management. It is not possible to separate out the proportion of landfill tax which relates to municipal waste disposal because landfill site operators make a single return to Her Majesty's Customs and Excise which covers all of their activities.
	
		
			  Amount of public money spent on collecting and managing municipal waste in England (Revenue outturn (RO6 Form)) 
			 Financial year £ million 
		
		
			 1997–98 1,199 
			 1998–99 1,282 
			 1999–2000 1,423 
			 2000–01 1,521 
			 2001–02 1,654 
			 2002–03 1,807 
		
	
	Waste management is a devolved function. The Honourable Member may wish to approach the devolved administrations about their costs for the collection and management of one tonne of municipal waste in each year between 1997 and 2002. The information for England is given in the table.
	
		
			  Cost for collection and management of one tonne of municipal waste (Revenue Outturn (RO6 Form)) 
			 Financial year £ million 
		
		
			 1997–98 46.63 
			 1998–99 48.68 
			 1999–2000 51.78 
			 2000–01 54.21 
			 2001–02 57.44 
			 2002–03 61.65

MOD Land

Mike Hancock: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister pursuant to his answer of 6th December 2004, Official Report, columns 346–47W, on Ministry of Defence land, what assessment he has made of (a) the direct benefits for English Partnerships, (b) the implications for the current planning systems and (c) the effects on local communities; what procedures are in place to audit the arrangement; which surplus sites in Hampshire will be affected by the new arrangements; and if he will make a statement.

Keith Hill: English Partnerships has an important part to play in helping to deliver the objectives of the Government's Sustainable Communities Plan. A key role for English Partnerships is to find and assemble land, particularly brownfield and publicly owned land, for housing development in areas of high demand. The Register of surplus public sector land provides a mechanism within which English Partnerships, or another central Government body, can express an interest in a site which is surplus to operational requirements.
	The framework agreement between English Partnerships and Defence Estates announced in November simplifies the working arrangements between the organisations with regard to surplus land.
	All sites identified through this process will be subject to the current planning system. Planning applications must follow the same procedure as would apply to applications for any other site and applicant. The framework agreement underpins this process and will provide an early opportunity for community engagement about the planning options for any given site.
	The working arrangements agreed under the framework agreement will be monitored and reviewed as a part of English Partnerships' normal operations and the operation of the Register of surplus public sector land.
	Any surplus sites in Hampshire held by central Government bodies have to be placed on the Register before they can be put on the open market. The framework agreement with Defence Estates covers sites in Hampshire that are or will become surplus to Defence requirements. It will be for English Partnerships to decide if they have an interest in any of these sites.

Coal Industry

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what (a) operating and (b) investment aid has been made to collieries since 1997, broken down by colliery.

Mike O'Brien: This information can be found on the DTI website. Details of operating aid paid to each colliery are at www.dti.gov.uk/energy/coal/ukcoas/index.shtml—click on 'list of applicants'. Details of investment aid payments to date are at www.dti.gov.uk/energy/coal/invest aid/index.shtml.

Oil and Gas Supplies

Mark Simmonds: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment she has made of the impact on the (a) UK (i) domestic consumption and (ii) economy and the (b) EU (A) domestic consumption and (B) economy of supplies of oil and gas which pass through Ukraine being stopped or interrupted.

Mike O'Brien: holding answer 13 December 2004
	I am watching the situation closely. Although Ukraine is a transit state for gas supplies from Russia into the EU, there is significant gas storage capacity in the EU; in the short to medium term, therefore, there should be little impact on the availability of gas to final consumers in the EU or the UK
	The Ukraine is also an important transit state for oil supplies from Russia into the EU. There are no reports that these supplies have been disrupted. If, however, supplies were disrupted for a prolonged period a combination of increased production from other producers, relatively high EU industry oil stock levels, and, if necessary, the coordinated release of emergency oil stocks by International Energy Agency members would limit the impact on the availability of oil products to final consumers in the EU and UK. These measures would also limit the impact of any disruption on the oil price.

UK Trade and Investment

James Arbuthnot: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry which businesses, associations and organisations have been consulted about the changes being discussed by UK Trade and Investment as a result of the 2004 Spending Review.

Douglas Alexander: Since the results of SR2004 were announced UK Trade and Investment has been consulting widely with its stakeholders over potential changes to the services it provides. These stakeholders include regional development agencies, devolved Administrations, business members of its advisory panels and also those trade organisations accredited to organise supported overseas trade fairs, sectoral missions and seminar groups.

VAT-registered Businesses (Rhondda)

Chris Bryant: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, how many VAT registered enterprises there are in the constituency of the Rhondda.

Nigel Griffiths: Barclays data show that there were 1,900 business start-ups in the Rhondda, Cynon and Taff local authority (for which Rhondda is a constituency) and Merthyr Tydfil local authority combined in 2003. There were a further 900 in Rhondda, Cynon and Taff local authority in the first six months of 2004. Business start-up data for local authorities are not available for before 2003.
	Barclays Bank's latest survey of business creation includes non-VAT registered firms and shows that there were 465,000 business start-ups in England and Wales in 2003, a 19 per cent. increase on the year before. A further 288,000 business started up in England and Wales in the first six months of 2004. This represents an increase of 23 per cent. on the first six months of 2003.
	DTI figures based solely on the stock of businesses registered for VAT show that there were 3,725 businesses registered fro VAT in Rhondda, Cynon and Taff local authority (for which Rhondda is a constituency) at the start of 2004. There were 365 new VAT registrations in Rhondda, Cynon and Taff in 2003 1 .
	VAT stocks do not capture all business activity. Businesses are unlikely to be registered if they fall below the compulsory VAT threshold, which has risen in each year since 1997. Only 1.8 million out of four million enterprises were registered for VAT at the start of 2003.
	Source:
	1 Business Start-ups and Closures: VAT registrations and de-registrations 1994/2003, Small Business Service. www.sbs.gov.uk/analytical/statistics/vatstats.php

Battle of Trafalgar Commemorations

Wayne David: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what preparations are being made to commemorate the Battle of Trafalgar.

Estelle Morris: The bicentenary of the Battle of Trafalgar is the inspiration for SeaBritain 2005, a national celebration of Britain's maritime heritage and links with the sea. SeaBritain 2005 is an initiative led by the National Maritime Museum, in partnership with many leading national and regional bodies, including VisitBritain, the Official Nelson Commemorations Committee, the Royal Navy and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.
	At the heart of SeaBritain 2005 is the Trafalgar Festival, with events throughout summer and autumn 2005 to mark the bicentenary. Highlights will include an International Fleet Review, Son et Lumière and firework display at Spithead in the Solent, an International Drumhead Ceremony on Southsea Common and an International Festival of the Sea at HM Naval Base Portsmouth, recreations of the delivery of Vice-Admiral Collingwood's Trafalgar Dispatch to London and Nelson's waterborne funeral procession from Greenwich to Whitehall, and commemorative tree-plantings for schools in Great Britain and Northern Ireland. The climax of the Festival will be the Trafalgar Weekend of 21–23 October, with a commemorative dinner in HMS Victory on 21 October, a musical celebration of the Sea and the Battle of Trafalgar at the Royal Albert Hall on 22 October, and on 23 October, the Sea Cadets' parade in Trafalgar Square and services of commemoration at St Paul's Cathedral, where Nelson is buried, and St Nicholas's Church, Great Yarmouth, where he worshipped in 1801 on his return from the Battle of Copenhagen.
	The Trafalgar Festival will emphasise the involvement of young people, demonstrating to them the continuing importance of the sea to Britain and the richness of our maritime heritage. SeaBritain 2005 will encourage all to take part in the Festival or to develop their own events under its umbrella, with the aim of leaving a legacy that will stimulate interest in the sea and inland waters. Full details of all events planned as part of SeaBritain 2005, including the Trafalgar Festival, can be found on the SeaBritain website at www. SeaBritain2005.com. Details of the Navy Board's Trafalgar 200 events can be found at www. trafalgar200.com.

BBC

Alex Salmond: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what percentage of the BBC's budget during the last four financial years came from (a) licence fee, (b) Government funding, (c) income from commercial enterprise and (d) other sources.

Estelle Morris: According to the BBC's Annual Report and Accounts, the following table shows what percentage of the BBC group's external income came from the licence fee, Government funding, income from commercial enterprises and other sources.
	
		
			  Total: Group external income (£ million) 1 Licence fee (percentage) Government funding(11) (percentage) Commercial services (percentage) Other (percentage) 
		
		
			 2001 3,164.5 74.9 5.7 17.5 1.8 
			 2002 3,382.9 74.8 5.6 17.9 1.7 
			 2003 3,532.0 75.3 5.7 17.7 1.3 
			 2004 3,705.9 75.5 6.0 17.4 1.1 
		
	
	(10) Includes contribution from Department for Work and Pensions for free television licence fee for over-75s:
	2001—£307.7 million, 2002—£350.0 million, 2003—£370.9 million, 2004—£407.8 million
	(11) World Service

Rwanda

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State, Department for International Development what recent assistance he has given to Rwanda.

Hilary Benn: DFID's assistance to Rwanda is helping the Government implement its Poverty Reduction Plan. Our commitment to Rwanda is £42 million for 2004–05 (two-thirds is Poverty Reduction Budget Support). So far this financial year, we have spent £26.25 million, of which £20.25 million is Poverty Reduction Budget Support. Our commitment rises to £46 million for 2005–06.

Rwanda

Martin Smyth: To ask the Secretary of State, Department for International Development To ask the Secretary of State for International Developmentwhat assessment he has made of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Rwanda; and what assistance his Department is giving to address it.

Mr. Thomas: The HIV/AIDS prevalence rate in Rwanda is estimated at 5.1 per cent. 1 A comprehensive national plan has been developed that aims to provide anti-retroviral therapies to all Rwandans by 2010.
	We have committed £8,700,000 to HIV/AIDS in Rwanda, focusing on capacity building and provision of anti-retroviral therapies. UK assistance is provided to the national coordinating body, UNAIDS, and the Ministry of Education, for anti-retroviral therapies to genocide survivors and for nationwide reduction and prevention activities.
	1 Source:
	UNAIDS

Democratic Republic of Congo

Bob Blizzard: To ask the Secretary of State, Department for International Department To ask the Secretary of State for International Developmentif he will make a statement on his Department's work in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Hilary Benn: Since the establishment of the transitional Government, we have expanded our bilateral development programme in DRC, which stands at £34 million this year. On top of humanitarian assistance, our support is focused on four main areas, as long as the peace process remains on track:
	the establishment of basic security and rule of law;
	the establishment of a functioning state;
	the reconstruction of the country and the fight against HIV/AIDS;
	the transparent management of natural resources.
	We will also be supporting these areas, and others, through our contributions to the European Union, the World Bank and the United Nations.

Eritrea

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussions (a) he, (b) members of his Department and (c) UK representatives have had with (i) members and (ii) representatives of the (A) US Administration and (B) Italian government since 1998 regarding (1) food aid, (2) development and (3) debt relief to Eritrea; and if he will make a statement.

Hilary Benn: Discussions with members of the US administration and the Italian government have been held during donor group meetings in Asmara and with EC wide groups regarding humanitarian and development assistance. There have been no separate bilateral discussions. The UK has not had any discussions over the issue of debt relief. Eritrea does not qualified as Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) under the original level of indebtedness criterion and has not come to the Paris Club for a treatment of its debts.

Jobcentre Plus

Vera Baird: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  what the time taken to process the average benefits claim at Eston Jobcentre Plus was in (a) 2003–04 and (b) 2002–03;
	(2)  how many personal advisers are allocated to (a) Eston Jobcentre Plus and (b) the other areas of Redcar constituency.

Chris Pond: The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Jobcentre Plus, David Anderson. He will write to the hon. Member.
	Letter from David Anderson to Ms Vera Baird, dated 15 December 2004
	The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your questions concerning the time taken to process benefit claims at Eston Jobcentre Plus and the number of Personal Advisers allocated to Eston Jobcentre Plus and other areas of Redcar constituency not covered by Eston Jobcentre Plus. This is something which falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus.
	The time taken to process a claim to benefit is shown as the Average Actual Clearance Times (AACT).
	The Jobseeker's Allowance AACT information for Eston, expressed in days, is as follows:
	
		
			 Period Number of days 
		
		
			 2002–03 10.6 
			 2003–04 18.1 
		
	
	The AACT figures for Income Support (IS) in Eston are only available as part of the Middlesbrough Site information, which is an average of the performance achieved in the 9 Jobcentre/Jobcentre Plus service delivery sites in Stockton, Middlesbrough and Redcar/Cleveland. This is because IS processing for all sites in the Tees Valley area is centralised in Middlesbrough.
	The IS AACT information for the Middlesbrough Site, expressed in days, is as follows:
	
		
			 Period Number of days 
		
		
			 2002–03 8.9 
			 2003–04 7.4 
		
	
	The number of Personal Advisers (PAs) allocated to the offices within the Redcar constituency are as follows:
	
		
			 Office Eston Redcar Loftus Guisborough 
		
		
			 Number of PAs 
			 Whole-time equivalents 7.29 9.09 3 5.6 
			 Actual staff numbers 8 10 3 6 
		
	
	I hope this is helpful.

National Insurance

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to the answer of 29 November 2004, Official Report, columns 43–44W, on contracted-out rebates, what his assumptions are of the number of people who are contracted out in 2004–05; and if he will make a statement.

Malcolm Wicks: pursuant to his reply, 6 December 2004, Official Report, c. 377W
	The information is in the table:
	
		
			  Million 
			 Type of scheme Number of people contracted out in 2004–05 
		
		
			 Contracted-out Salary Related Scheme 7.0 
			 Contracted-out Money Purchase Scheme 0.6 
			 Contracted-out Mixed Benefit Scheme  
			 Appropriate Personal Pension Scheme 3.1 
			 Total (13)10.7 
		
	
	(13) Numbers do not sum to total due to rounding to the nearest hundred thousand.
	Notes:
	1. The estimates are based on the numbers contracted-out in 2000–01, the latest year for which information is available; they are for Great Britain and are consistent with those used by the Government Actuary to estimate the cost of the rebate for the 2004 pre-Budget report.
	2. The numbers are based on those shown in the departmental publication "Second-Tier Pension Provision" published in March 2004 but exclude:
	(a) data for Northern Ireland as estimates for the pre-Budget report are based on Great Britain only; and
	(b) people earning below the lower earnings limit.

Departmental Expenditure

John Bercow: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster 
	(1)  what the total cost to the Duchy was for accountancy services in each of the last two years;
	(2)  if he will make a statement on energy costs incurred by the Duchy administration in each of the last two years.

Alan Milburn: Expenditure on accountancy services for the last two accounting years by the Duchy of Lancaster amounted to £25,454 for 2003–04 and £22,389 for 2002–03.
	Energy costs incurred by the Duchy of Lancaster administration were £8,719 for 2003–04 and £6,370 in 2002–03.
	The Duchy of Lancaster is not a Government Department and as such not supported by public funds. Formal accounts are prepared annually and placed in the Library of both Houses of Parliament and I would refer you to these.

Equal Pay

John McDonnell: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what the difference was between average (a) men's and (b) women's salaries at each grade, band or salary range, broken down by (i) national and (ii) London rates, in each Department at the latest date for which figures are available.

Ruth Kelly: I have today placed in the Library a table which shows the mean salary for men and women, and the difference between these, by responsibility level; National and London areas. Figures are based on 1 April 2004 Civil Service Statistics data and are grouped by Major Departments. Civil Service Statistics are available in the Library and on our website at www. civilservice.gov.uk/managementinformation/statistical information/statistics/in dex.asp

General Practitioners

Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients there were for each general practitioner in Ribble Valley and Fulwood on the most recent date for which figures are available.

Melanie Johnson: The information requested is shown in the table.
	
		Average list size of unrestricted principals and equivalents (UPEs)1 for Preston Primary Care Trust (PCT) and Hyndburn and Ribble Valley PCT As at 30 September 2003Numbers (headcount)
		
			  
		
		
			 Hyndburn and Ribble Valley  PCT Preston PCT 5G7 57 113,816 1,997 
			 Preston PCT 5HD 73 144,080 1,974 
		
	
	(14) UPEs include general medical service unrestricted principals, personal medical service (PMS) contracted general practitioners and PMS salaried GPs.
	Note:
	Patient data has been revised from previously published figures.
	Souce:
	Department of Health general and personal medical services statistics

General Practitioners

Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many general practitioners there are per head of population in each of the primary care trusts in the Ribble Valley and Fulwood constituency.

Melanie Johnson: The information requested is shown in the following table.
	
		General medical practitioners (excluding retainers, registrars and locums) 1 for Preston primary care trust (PCT) and Hyndburn and Ribble Valley PCT per 100,000 weighted population—as at 30 September 2003  Numbers (headcount)
		
			   General medical practitioners (excluding retainers, registrars and locums)(15)  Weighted population General medical practitioners (excluding retainers, registrars and locums)(15) per 100,000 weighted population 
		
		
			 Preston PCT 5HD 85 140,359 60.6 
			 Hyndburn and Ribble  Valley PCT 5G7 68 117,236 58.0 
		
	
	(15) All practitioners (excluding retainers, registrars and locums) include general medical service practitioners and personal medical service practitioners.
	Sources:
	1. Department of Health General and Personal Medical Services Statistics
	2. Department of Health Populations adjusted for age and need using the GMS Non-Cash Limited component of the weighted capitation formula

Lyme Disease

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what research he is undertaking into Lyme disease and its treatment;
	(2)  what steps he is taking to raise awareness of Lyme disease among healthcare professionals;
	(3)  how many reports of Lyme disease there have been in England in each year since 1986; and if he will make a statement;
	(4)  what steps he is taking to improve the treatment and management of Lyme disease within the national health service.

Melanie Johnson: Surveillance of Lyme disease has been in place in England and Wales since 1986, and was enhanced in 1996 to provide a more complete clinical picture.
	A total of 2,199 reports of Lyme disease were received between 1986 and 2003. Around 20 per cent., of these cases are known to have been acquired abroad.
	
		
			  Total reports received 
		
		
			 1986 to 1992 227 
			 1993 to 1996 235 
			 1997 to 2000 803 
			 2001 261 
			 2002 340 
			 2003 (provisional data) 330 
		
	
	Advice to doctors about the diagnosis and treatment of Lyme disease are readily available. Highly sensitive tests for the detection of Lyme disease are readily available and accessible across the national health service. Public health officials in areas such as the New Forest, where the risks of being bitten by an infected tick are highest, have made their local general practitioners aware of relevant symptoms.
	Lyme disease can be treated with antibiotics, usually doxycycline or amoxicillin and early treatment usually clears the initial rash within several days and helps to prevent the development of complications. More serious symptoms also respond to antibiotic treatment. Detailed studies have shown excellent long-term outcomes for most people who receive appropriate treatment. Guidance on the treatment of Lyme disease is available on the Health Protection Agency's (HPA) website: www.hpa.org.uk/infections/topics az/zoonoses/lyme borreliosis/faq.htm
	Workshops organised jointly by the Department of Health, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and the HPA were held in 2001 and 2002 to further raise awareness of healthcare professionals. These workshops brought together leading experts on the disease.
	Following the completion of eight research projects investigating aspects of Lyme disease, the latest being in 1999, the Department is not currently undertaking research into Lyme disease.

Out-of-hours Care

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what problems have been encountered by primary care trusts which have not yet been able to finalise their arrangements for out-of-hours care under the new general medical services contract;
	(2)  what steps he will take after the end of the year in respect of primary care trusts that have not yet finalised their arrangements for out-of-hours care under the new general medical services contract;
	(3)  how many primary care trusts his Department estimated would have finalised their arrangements for out-of-hours care under the new general medical services contract by the current month;
	(4)  how many primary care trusts (a) have finalised their arrangements for out-of-hours care under the new general medical services contract, (b) are in the process of finalising their arrangements and (c) have indicated that they will have problems implementing new arrangements by the end of the current year.

John Hutton: Under the new primary care contracts, general practitioner practices may choose to transfer responsibility for out-of-hours services to their primary care trust (PCT), with the agreement of their PCTs. From 1 January 2005, this will become a right.
	Strategic health authorities (SHAs) have responsibility for performance managing PCTs to ensure that appropriate arrangements are in place and, if the transition is delayed, that appropriate action is taken to ensure a quality out-of-hours service is available.
	The information requested is not collected centrally. However, unvalidated information volunteered by SHAs indicates that some 275 PCTs have finalised arrangements for out-of-hours services and that 21 are in the process of doing so, or have yet to formally commence their commissioning role. No PCTs have indicated that they will have problems implementing their new roles.

Public Bodies

George Osborne: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what the membership is of the (a) Advisory Committee on Animal Feeding Stuffs, (b) the Advisory Committee on Novel Foods and Processes, (c) the Advisory Committee on Research, (d) the Advisory Committee on the Microbiological Safety of Food, (e) the Beef Assurance Scheme Membership Panel, (f) the Committee on Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment, (g) the Consumer Committee, (h) the Expert Group on Vitamins and Minerals and (i) the Meat Hygiene Advisory Committee; what the (i) cost of salaries and expenses to members and (ii) running cost was of each body in the last year for which figures are available; and how many staff are employed to service each body.

Melanie Johnson: The membership of the Food Standards Agency's Committees is as follows:
	Membership of the Advisory Committee on Animal Feedingstuffs is:
	Dr Chitra Bharucha (Chairman)
	Dr Dozie Azubike
	Dr Paul Brantom
	Dr Ian Brown
	Professor Andrew Chesson
	Dr Bruce Cottrill
	Professor Julie Fitzpatrick
	Dr Nigel Halford
	Ms Diane McCrea
	Dr Helen Raine
	Richard Scales
	Dr Nigel Shepperson
	Dr Colin Stewart
	Marcus Themans
	Membership of the Advisory Committee on Novel Foods and Processes is:
	Professor Mike Gasson (Chairman)
	Miss Jill Brand
	Professor Ruth Chadwick
	Dr Hilary Close
	Mr Neville Craddock
	Professor Phil Dale
	Professor James Dunwell
	Professor Gary Foster
	Dr John Fowler
	Dr Peter Lund
	Professor Alan Malcolm
	Dr Clive Meredith
	Professor Ian Rowland
	Professor John Warner
	Dr Anthony Williams
	Membership of the Advisory Committee on Research is:
	Professor Michael Lean (Chairman)
	Dr Paul Brantom
	Professor Duncan Maskell
	Professor Richard Moody
	Professor William Donachie
	Professor Stuart Slorach
	Professor Christopher Ritson
	Dr Ann Richardson
	Ms Tanya Heasman
	Professor Anne Murcott
	Ms Diane McCrea
	Professor Alastair Robertson
	Dr Peter McClure
	Membership of the Advisory Committee on the Microbiological Safety of Food is:
	Bill Reilly (Chairman)
	Mr John Bassett
	Dr David Brown
	Ms Sue Davies
	Professor Mike Gasson
	Dr Katherine Hadley
	Professor Tom Humphrey
	Professor Paul Hunter
	Mr Alec Kyriakides
	Ms Eva Lewis
	Mr Paul McMullin
	Mr Philip Mepham
	Professor Sarah O'Brien
	Mr Brian Pierce
	Mr David Piccaver
	Professor Laura Piddock
	Dr Quentin Sandifer
	Professor Peter Williams
	The Beef Assurance Scheme membership Panel was not convened during 2003–04.
	Membership of the Committee on Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment is:
	Professor IA Hughes (Chairman)
	Professor A Boobis
	Dr P Carthew
	Professor JK Chipman
	Dr J Hinson
	Dr P Jackson
	Dr M Joffe
	Professor J Lunec
	Dr A Piersma
	Professor D Ray
	Professor I R Rowland
	Dr L Rushton
	Ms J Salfield
	Dr A G Smith
	Dr L Stanley
	Professor S Strobel
	Dr M Tucker
	Miss A Ward
	Membership of the Consumer Committee is:
	Nancy Robson (Chair)
	Alison Childs
	Thomas Chan
	John Godfrey
	Julie Friend
	Jeanette Longfield
	Sinéad Furey
	Emma Copeland
	Sue Dibb
	Lindsey Kearton
	Lucy-Gillie
	The Expert Group on Vitamins and Minerals was formally wound up in May 2003.
	The Meat Hygiene Advisory Committee was formally wound up in October 2004.
	Members of these committees do not receive salaries but are paid an attendance fee, a preparation fee and expenses for each meeting they attend. The costs and staff numbers are shown in the table.
	
		
			   Name of Committee Salary and expenses (£000)(16) Running costs (£000)   Number of staff 
		
		
			 Advisory Committee on Animal Feeding Stuffs 28,000 17,000 6 
			 Advisory Committee on Novel Foods and Processes 18,500 35,500 Departmental staff service this body alongside a range of other duties but it is not possible to identify their numbers separately 
			 Advisory Committee on Research 10,000 8,000 Departmental staff service this body alongside a range of other duties but it is not possible to identify their numbers separately 
			 Advisory Committee on the Microbiological Safety of Food 20,504 24,730 3.5 
			 Beef Assurance Scheme Membership Panel 0 0 0 
			 Committee on Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment 30,000 80,000 Departmental staff service this body alongside a range of other duties but it is not possible to identify their numbers separately 
			 Consumer Committee 10,246 20,270 Departmental staff service this body alongside a range of other duties but it is not possible to identify their numbers separately 
			 Expert Group on Vitamins and Minerals 0 (17)26,000 Departmental staff service this body alongside a range of other duties but it is not possible to identify their numbers separately 
			 Meat Hygiene Advisory Committee 9,177 25,875 Departmental staff service this body alongside a range of other duties but it is not possible to identify their numbers separately 
		
	
	(16) All figures are for 2003–04 except the Expert Group on Vitamins and Minerals, which is for 2002–03.
	(17) Collated from total costs of £78,000 for three years (includes fees and expenses)

Animal Experiments

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, on what date the Animal Procedures Committee was informed that Imutran primates on moderate procedures had been found dead; and what form the communication took.

Caroline Flint: The specific information requested is not readily identifiable
	from Home Office records.

Departmental Advertising

Michael Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what criteria are used by his Department to determine (a) on which satellite television stations advertisements on behalf of his Department or its agencies are screened and (b) the frequency of screenings of advertisements.

Fiona Mactaggart: All Home Office advertising campaigns are produced in partnership with leading advertising agencies, media strategy agencies and media buying agencies. All these services are procured using the expertise of the Central Office of Information (COI).
	Decisions on which media to use for campaigns are based on recommendations made by the media strategy agency who will take into account the campaign objectives, the target audience, and any specific regional factors.
	The media strategy agency will prepare a brief for the media buyers who will then try to secure the most effective advertising slots to match the brief at the most competitive prices. Frequency of screening will depend on a consideration of how many times an audience needs to see the message before it will achieve the desired effect. This will be a key consideration in setting the campaign budget.
	Hence the Home Office drug prevention campaign FRANK which aims to remind young people of an advice line that is available to them features at mid-level of frequency on satellite channels preferred by a youth audience, whereas our acquisitive crime campaign which targets a-cross section of the general public is likely to be seen on prime time terrestrial television and popular satellite channels in a number of high frequency bursts of advertising.
	Media strategies and media buying are regularly audited by the COI to assess both quality of and cost effectiveness of performance

Departmental Costs

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on energy costs incurred by his Department in each of the last two years.

Fiona Mactaggart: Figures for costs alone can be misleading if not placed within the wider context of unit price changes, areas occupied and changes in actual consumption. Table 1 shows energy costs for the years 2002–03 and 2003–04, along with the corresponding consumption data and average fuel prices. Figures are given separately for electricity and heating fuels, as well as for total energy.
	
		Table 1: Energy costs, consumption and average prices  Costs (£k/y)
		
			  2002–03 2003–04 Percentage change 
		
		
			 Total HO
			 Electricity 15,054 16,598 10 
			 Heating Fuels 17,139 19,522 14 
			 Total Energy 32,193 36,120 12 
			 Consumption (T kWh/y) 
			 Electricity 344,978 370,519 7 
			 Heating Fuels 1,289,101 1,087,182 -16 
			 Total Energy 1,634,169 1,457,503 -11 
			 Average price (p/kWh) 
			 Electricity 4.36 4.48 3 
			 Heating Fuels 1.33 1.80 35 
			 Total Energy 1.97 2.48 26 
		
	
	The table relates to key sites on the estate of the Home Office and its agencies. Key sites are defined as a site which is over 1,000 sq. metres, has over 50 staff and where the Department has control over the heating and electric.
	Electricity costs have risen by 10 per cent. This is in part due to a 7 per cent. increase in consumption, but also a 3 per cent. increase in average price. Heating fuel costs have risen by 14 per cent., because of a large increase in average price (35 per cent.), which more than offset a 16 per cent. drop in consumption.
	Total energy costs have gone up by 12 per cent. due to a 26 per cent. increase in average price. This price increase has more than offset an 11 per cent. drop in consumption of total energy.
	
		Table 2: Floor area and .consumption per sq. m.
		
			 Total HO 2002–03 2003–04 Percentage change 
		
		
			 Floor area (000 m(22)) 3,815 3,776 -1 
			 Electricity/sq. m. 97 98 1 
			 Heating Fuel/sq. m. 338 288 -15 
			 Energy/sq. m. 428 386 -10 
		
	
	While Table 2, shows a small increase in electricity consumption (1 per cent.) per sq. m., there has been a significant decrease of 15 per cent. in consumption of heating fuels per sq. m. Overall, energy consumption per sq. m. has fallen by 10 per cent. resulting from continuing improvements in energy efficiency. The small rise in electricity use is judged to be due to greater efficiency in use of space resulting in higher staff occupation rates per sq. m. with consequent higher IT and air conditioning loads per sq. m.
	The Department is drawing up an energy management strategy with the aim of increasing efficiency and reducing consumption. This will involve identifying those buildings which are high energy users through a benchmarking exercise and then undertaking energy surveys at those sites. Based on survey recommendations, site-specific action plans will be devised and implemented.
	The contract for the management of the new headquarters site at 2 Marsham Street requires our PFI partner to operate the building at not less than 10 per cent. below the best practice benchmark contained in the Government's Energy Efficiency Best Practice Programme Energy Use in Offices Guide.
	The Prison Service has an Energy Efficiency Action Plan. A benchmarking guide has been developed and the data used to help set carbon dioxide key performance indicators for each prison.
	The Prison Service was the first Government Department/Agency to be accredited under the National Energy Foundation's scheme for energy efficiency and was re-accredited in 2003. It aims for reaccredidation every three years, which requires evidence of continuous progress.

Fireworks

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many (a) warnings, (b) fixed penalty notices and (c) prosecutions there have been for breaches of Fireworks Act 2003 provisions governing use and sale of fireworks in each police authority area, grouped by region.

Hazel Blears: holding answer 8 December 2004
	The latest provisional data in the following table shows that, from 1 October 2003 to 31 October 2004, 314 penalty notices for disorder have been issued and notified to the Home Office by police forces in England and Wales for offences involving fireworks. These include throwing fireworks, breaches of fireworks curfews and the illegal possession of certain categories of fireworks. These are shown by region and police force area in the table.
	Data from the Home Office Court Proceedings Database on defendants cautioned (including reprimands and final warnings for juveniles) and proceeded against for firework offences, England and Wales 2003, are also shown in the table.
	Statistics on cautions and court proceedings for 2004 will be available in autumn 2005.
	
		Number of penalty notices for disorder given for offences involving fireworks from 1 October 2003 to 31 October 2004 by region and police force area—England and Wales
		
			 Region and police force area Number of PNDs given for firework offences 
		
		
			 Metropolitan police 5 
			   
			 North West region  
			 Cumbria — 
			 Lancashire 11 
			 Merseyside 7 
			 Greater Manchester 4 
			 Cheshire — 
			 Total for region 22 
			 North East region  
			 Northumbria — 
			 Durham — 
			 North Yorkshire — 
			 West Yorkshire 14 
			 South Yorkshire 5 
			 Humberside 2 
			 Cleveland 1 
			 Total for region 22 
			 Midlands region  
			 West Midlands 9 
			 Staffordshire 4 
			 West Mercia — 
			 Warwickshire — 
			 Total for region 13 
			 Eastern region  
			 Derbyshire — 
			 Nottinghamshire 1 
			 Lincolnshire — 
			 Leicestershire — 
			 Northamptonshire — 
			 Cambridgeshire 2 
			 Norfolk 1 
			 Suffolk — 
			 Total for region 4 
			 South East region  
			 Bedfordshire — 
			 Hertfordshire — 
			 Essex 2 
			 Thames Valley 235 
			 Hampshire — 
			 Surrey 1 
			 Kent 1 
			 Sussex 4 
			 City of London — 
			 Total for region 243 
			 South West region  
			 Devon and Cornwall 2 
			 Avon and Somerset — 
			 Gloucestershire — 
			 Wiltshire — 
			 Dorset — 
			 Total for region 2 
			 Welsh region  
			 North Wales 2 
			 Gwent 1 
			 South Wales — 
			 Dyfed-Powys — 
			 Total for region 3 
			   
			 Total England and Wales 314 
		
	
	
		Number of defendants cautioned(22) and proceeded against at the magistrates courts for offences relating to fireworks—England and Wales, 2003(21)
		
			  Explosives Act 1875 S.80 Sporting Events (Control of Alcohol, etc.) Act 1985, S.2A(21) Fireworks (Safety) Regulations 1997 
			  Throwing, casting or firing any fireworks in or into any highway, street etc. public place Being in possession of fireworks etc. in or when entering a designated sports ground Contravention of Regulations—offences under S.12 Consumer Protection Act 1987 
			 Region and police force area Cautioned 2 Proceeded against Caustioned 2 Proceeded against Cautioned 2 Proceeded against 
		
		
			 Metropolitan police — 8 2 — — 26 
			
			 North West region   
			 Cumbria 1 — — — — — 
			 Lancashire — 5 — — — 8 
			 Merseyside 1 4 — 1 — 2 
			 Greater Manchester — 6 2 — — 17 
			 Cheshire 1 — — — — 2 
			 North East Region   
			 Northumbria — 4 — — — 6 
			 Durham 1 2 — — — — 
			 North Yorkshire — 1 — — — 4 
			 West Yorkshire 3 3 — — — 5 
			 South Yorkshire 2 — — — 4 5 
			 Humberside — 1 — — — 11 
			 Cleveland 2 — — — — 4 
			 Midlands Region   
			 West Midlands — 1 — 1 — 26 
			 Staffordshire — 2 — — — 3 
			 West Mercia — — — 1 — — 
			 Warwickshire — — — — — — 
			 Eastern Region   
			 Derbyshire 1 — — — — 9 
			 Nottinghamshire — 2 — — — 3 
			 Lincolnshire — 1 — — — 2 
			 Leicestershire — 1 — — — 3 
			 Northamptonshire — — — — — 2 
			 Cambridgeshire — — — — — — 
			 Norfolk — 1 — — — 4 
			 Suffolk — — — — — 2 
			 South East Region   
			 Bedfordshire — — — — — — 
			 Hertfordshire — — — — — — 
			 Essex 2 — — — — 3 
			 Thames Valley — — — — — 3 
			 Hampshire — 1 — — — 2 
			 Surrey — 1 — — — — 
			 Kent — — — — — — 
			 Sussex — 1 — — — 4 
			 South West Region   
			 Avon and Somerset — — — — — 2 
			 Devon and Cornwall — 1 — — — — 
			 Gloucestershire — — — — — — 
			 Wiltshire 1 — — — — 6 
			 Dorset — — — — — — 
			 Welsh Region   
			 Gwent 1 — — — — 1 
			 North Wales 2 1 — — — 2 
			 South Wales 1 1 — — — 3 
			 Dyfed-Powys — — — — — — 
			
			 Total England and Wales 19 48 4 3 4 170 
		
	
	(21) These data are on the principal offence basis.
	(22) Includes reprimands and final warnings for juveniles.

Justice and Home Affairs Council

Jimmy Hood: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the outcome was of the Justice and Home Affairs Council held on 2–3 December; what the Government's stance was on the issues discussed, including its voting record; and if he will make a statement.

Caroline Flint: I represented the United Kingdom at the Justice and Home Affairs Council in Brussels on 2 December 2004.
	A list of "A" points approved at the Council has been placed in the Library (Document 15393/04 PTS A61 and ADD/1).
	Franco Frattini made his first appearance as the new JHA Commissioner, giving an overview of his priorities for the coming year. Immigration was at the forefront, with managed legal migration, integration, action to combat human trafficking and illegal immigration all emphasised as important work areas.
	The Council took note of progress in negotiations on the draft Framework Decision on the European Evidence Warrant. The programme deadline set in the Hague Programme for completion by the end of 2005 was thought to be ambitious but not out of reach.
	The Council reached a general approach on Articles 1–8 of the draft Council Decision on the exchange of information extracted from the criminal record and agreed that work should continue on the recitals, accompanying form and on the application of this measure to individuals to their records.
	The Council debated the scope of application of the Framework Decision on the retention of communications data on the basis of two options. The first would allow individual service providers to define what they would keep; the second envisaged the creation of a common list of data to be retained by all. No conclusion was reached and the presidency therefore directed the working group to further examine the issues raised, including those relating to data protection and costs.
	The presidency presented for discussion at a future date a proposal for a compromise package to break the deadlock on the Framework Decision on ship source pollution. This proposed the deletion of the second sentence of Article 4(7) dealing with the treatment of member states' flag ships as domestic vessels, with an amendment to Article 11 dealing with a future review of application of the instrument. The presidency package also proposed a Council Declaration and a Commission declaration concerning, respectively, engagement with the International Maritime Organisation on measures to combat pollution and the need for economic impact assessment of any future proposals.
	Gijs de Vries, the EU Counter-Terrorism Co-ordinator, introduced documents presented to Ministers for agreement. They focussed on the need for effective implementation of EU legislation and more effective co-operation between law enforcement services. The Commission underscored the importance of co-operation between member states on the terrorist threat, and focused on four areas of terrorism-related work, in particular: work on explosives; radicalisation and recruitment; dialogue with the private sector; and scientific and technological research.
	I made an intervention focusing on the balance between action to tackle counter-terrorism and the need to protect the rights of the individual. I noted that this balance was at the centre of the debate around counter-terrorism both domestically and in the EU.
	With regard to the Council decision on the exchange of information and co-operation concerning terrorist offences, discussion centred on the limitations of safeguards around the exchange of sensitive information. A general approach was reached on this Council Decision following some minor amendments to the recitals.
	On the Council common position on the transfer of certain data to Interpol (lost or stolen passports) the presidency reached a general approach without amendment.
	The presidency provided the Council with an information update on the Ministerial Integration Conference "Turning Principles into Actions" and the Ministerial Conference "Diversity and participation—the gender perspective", which I was grateful to receive.
	Under any other business, the presidency noted the Council Decision on the application of parts of the provisions of the Schengen aquis to the UK would soon be ready for adoption. I strongly welcomed this.
	The presidency provided further information on the draft decision of the Council providing for certain areas covered by title IV of Part Three of the Treaty Establishing the European Community to be governed by the procedure referred to in Article 251 of that treaty (i.e. the move to Qualified Majority Voting and co-decision for certain immigration measures), which it hoped to adopt before the end of the year. The presidency took note of the UK's parliamentary scrutiny reserve.
	In the margins of the JHA Council, there was a meeting between EU JHA Ministers and JHA Ministers of the Western Balkan states to discuss progress and co-operation on JHA matters.

Police Funding

Mark Simmonds: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  what funding Lincolnshire Police will receive in 2004–05 under the Rural Sparsity Grant;
	(2)  how much funding has been made available to each police authority in England and Wales since 2000–01 under the Rural Sparsity Grant.

Hazel Blears: Rural Policing Fund allocations to each police authority, including Lincolnshire, since 2000–01 are set out in the following table.
	
		
			£ 
			 Police authority 2000–01 2001–02 2002–03 
		
		
			 Avon and Somerset 494,892 992,875 993,718 
			 Bedfordshire 81,390 163,540 163,555 
			 Cambridgeshire 561,585 1,125,169 1,126,395 
			 Cheshire 115,058 228,487 227,493 
			 Cumbria 690,613 1,370,910 1,360,324 
			 Derbyshire 208,347 416,190 415,196 
			 Devon and Cornwall 1,554,673 3,114,489 3,128,806 
			 Dorset 221,858 442,209 443,158 
			 Durham 124,270 246,803 245,259 
			 Dyfed Powys 1,297,570 2,588,337 2,583,979 
			 Essex 251,315 503,710 504,105 
			 Gloucestershire 387,093 776,548 775,749 
			 Gwent 102,895 204,476 203,489 
			 Hampshire 110,175 220,430 219,680 
			 Humberside 357,640 710,250 705,395 
			 Kent 298,863 599,342 599,700 
			 Lancashire 32,228 64,054 63,835 
			 Leicestershire 216,758 433,988 433,164 
			 Lincolnshire 985,951 1,978,690 1,984,449 
			 Norfolk 1,036,848 2,078,830 2,085,509 
			 Northamptonshire 350,892 704,141 705,137 
			 North Wales 770,617 1,533,723 1,530,130 
			 North Yorkshire 1,005,224 2,013,806 2,018,359 
			 Staffordshire 138,358 275,072 273,147 
			 Suffolk 711,353 1,422,627 1,424,923 
			 Surrey 5,463 11,048 11,006 
			 Sussex 273,834 550,563 549,849 
			 Thames Valley 629,559 1,262,860 1,261,933 
			 Warwickshire 282,108 562,546 561,338 
			 West Mercia 1,157,670 2,311,653 2,309,690 
			 Wiltshire 544,900 1,092,634 1,091,530 
			 Totals 15,000,000 30,000,000 30,000,000 
		
	
	
		
			£ 
			 Police authority 2003–04 2004–05 2005–06 
		
		
			 Avon and Somerset 978,223 976,068 980,199 
			 Bedfordshire 164,272 164,422 164,007 
			 Cambridgeshire 1,098,821 1,100,922 1,113,162 
			 Cheshire 228,073 227,069 226,308 
			 Cumbria 1,355,658 1,348,383 1,341,709 
			 Derbyshire 407,488 407,217 409,869 
			 Devon and Cornwall 3,122,895 3,122,021 3,122,008 
			 Dorset 441,478 440,274 438,864 
			 Durham 239,908 237,725 236,779 
			 Dyfed Powys 2,621,899 2,634,774 2,638,887 
			 Essex 501,773 500,243 498,646 
			 Gloucestershire 778,455 775,840 771,929 
			 Gwent 202,360 201,534 200,454 
			 Hampshire 219,421 219,178 218,558 
			 Humberside 698,109 694,592 697,991 
			 Kent 595,161 594,228 593,654 
			 Lancashire 63,419 63,266 63,106 
			 Leicestershire 428,056 429,309 428,346 
			 Lincolnshire 2,032,554 2,050,437 2,057,779 
			 Norfolk 2,076,414 2,074,784 2,079,305 
			 Northamptonshire 712,539 716,418 715,936 
			 North Wales 1,542,644 1,543,108 1,537,085 
			 North Yorkshire 2,018,029 2,014,688 2,009,523 
			 Staffordshire 270,884 269,021 267,339 
			 Suffolk 1,407,313 1,403,051 1,405,084 
			 Surrey 10,825 10,756 10,721 
			 Sussex 541 ,847 539,779 537,875 
			 Thames Valley 1,245,238 1,240,649 1,238,801 
			 Warwickshire 558,987 562,273 565,193 
			 West Mercia 2,341 ,925 2,344,363 2,336,615 
			 Wiltshire 1,095,332 1,093,608 1,094,268 
			 Totals 30,000,000 30,000,000 30,000,000

Vehicle Crime

John Thurso: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many (a) reported thefts and (b) convictions for theft (i) of motor cars, (ii) of motorcycles, (iii) of motorcycle parts and (iv) from vehicles there were in each police authority in each of the last five years.

Hazel Blears: Information on thefts of motorcycles and motorcycle parts is not collected separately. The available information relates to thefts of and from a vehicle and is provided in the tables.
	Data from the recorded crime series relates to the number of offences recorded by the police. Data on convictions relates to the number of offenders. For this reason, the two sets of data are not comparable.
	
		Table 3: Number of offenders found guilty at all courts for "theft of" and "theft from" a motor vehicle (25) by police force area—England and Wales 1999 to 2003
		
			  1999 2000 2001 
			 Police force area Theft of a motor vehicle(26) Theft from a motor vehicle Theft of a motor vehicle(26) Theft from a motor vehicle Theft of a motor vehicle(26) Theft from a motor vehicle 
		
		
			 Avon and Somerset 193 73 164 42 181 19 
			 Bedfordshire 136 50 135 66 112 61 
			 Cambridgeshire 96 42 90 43 70 60 
			 Cheshire 120 68 104 13 88 4 
			 Cleveland 113 53 104 38 121 43 
			 Cumbria 56 12 64 13 49 11 
			 Derbyshire 97 119 88 107 98 126 
			 Devon and Cornwall 137 27 82 22 103 14 
			 Dorset 60 79 52 67 42 44 
			 Durham 120 21 98 21 75 14 
			 Essex 188 111 201 134 214 124 
			 Gloucestershire 60 62 49 44 55 64 
			 Greater Manchester 756 102 722 77 726 89 
			 Hampshire 229 196 201 168 219 140 
			 Hertfordshire 102 82 91 97 90 87 
			 Humberside 164 109 114 91 110 86 
			 Kent 225 163 235 116 226 68 
			 Lancashire 270 320 269 257 226 253 
			 Leicestershire 151 134 107 140 134 117 
			 Lincolnshire 84 14 54 13 37 6 
			 Merseyside 283 125 273 172 300 110 
			 Metropolitan Police(28) 1,431 619 1,392 514 1,453 510 
			 Norfolk 75 34 77 15 49 11 
			 Northamptonshire 88 20 83 33 66 45 
			 Northumbria 131 113 97 84 26 77 
			 North Yorkshire 258 257 236 213 201 182 
			 Nottinghamshire 166 139 156 134 154 119 
			 South Yorkshire 319 189 247 166 196 164 
			 Staffordshire(27) 159 84 87 86 119 92 
			 Suffolk 172 14 93 16 89 6 
			 Surrey 59 39 51 30 60 23 
			 Sussex 128 118 126 83 130 94 
			 Thames Valley 165 38 228 33 252 28 
			 Warwickshire 49 27 46 12 49 23 
			 West Mercia 142 119 150 96 116 106 
			 West Midlands 639 233 592 216 620 169 
			 West Yorkshire 489 388 438 333 449 339 
			 Wiltshire 52 17 43 9 44 6 
			
			 Dyfed Powys 41 10 34 24 43 21 
			 Gwent 84 13 82 17 91 10 
			 North Wales 97 71 84 48 78 40 
			 South Wales 348 68 300 57 286 45 
			 England and Wales 8,732 4,572 7,939 3,960 7,847 3,650 
		
	
	
		
			  2002 2003 
			  Theft of a motor vehicle(26) Theft from a motor vehicle Theft of a motor vehicle(26) Theft from a motor vehicle 
		
		
			 Avon and Somerset 220 49 166 53 
			 Bedfordshire 90 72 79 77 
			 Cambridgeshire 99 54 102 62 
			 Cheshire 120 8 91 16 
			 Cleveland 175 44 132 29 
			 Cumbria 53 18 41 16 
			 Derbyshire 97 105 90 90 
			 Devon and Cornwall 106 14 107 12 
			 Dorset 43 60 39 60 
			 Durham 66 5 63 8 
			 Essex 241 97 240 78 
			 Gloucestershire 62 50 62 41 
			 Greater Manchester 529 103 508 142 
			 Hampshire 238 149 166 148 
			 Hertfordshire 153 87 107 87 
			 Humberside 137 92 143 79 
			 Kent 220 64 200 93 
			 Lancashire 248 280 204 201 
			 Leicestershire 144 132 119 122 
			 Lincolnshire 48 12 50 16 
			 Merseyside 275 116 297 141 
			 Metropolitan Police(28) 1,504 500 1,208 458 
			 Norfolk 47 15 33 16 
			 Northamptonshire 40 43 66 59 
			 Northumbria 22 38 158 194 
			 North Yorkshire 186 197 71 52 
			 Nottinghamshire 140 108 178 125 
			 South Yorkshire 241 161 251 164 
			 Staffordshire(27) 136 110 145 118 
			 Suffolk 127 11 161 11 
			 Surrey 41 23 63 19 
			 Sussex 104 99 154 59 
			 Thames Valley 222 53 192 91 
			 Warwickshire 43 15 39 18 
			 West Mercia 134 118 109 120 
			 West Midlands 668 296 764 303 
			 West Yorkshire 558 270 386 283 
			 Wiltshire 48 7 40 11 
			  
			 Dyfed Powys 39 23 62 15 
			 Gwent 93 13 91 14 
			 North Wales 83 31 66 46 
			 South Wales 335 55 288 36 
			 England and Wales 8,175 3,797 7,531 3,783 
		
	
	(25) These data are on the principal offence basis.
	(26) Includes the offence of 'Being carried knowing vehicle to have been taken or driven away'.
	(27) Staffordshire police were only able to supply a sample of data for magistrates' courts proceedings covering one full week in each quarter of 2000. Estimates based on this sample are included in the figures, as they are considered sufficiently robust at this level of analysis.
	(28) Includes City of London
	
		Table 1: Vehicle crime offences recorded by the police 1999–2000 to 2001–02
		
			  Theft of a vehicle Theft from a vehicle 
			 Police force area and region 1999–2000 2000–01 2001–02 1999–2000 2000–01 2001–02 
		
		
			 Cleveland 4,402 4,536 4,797 8,628 9,130 9,454 
			 Durham 3,605 2,951 2,712 5,521 5,096 5,086 
			 Northumbria 10,395 8,693 7,837 15,804 13,662 12,573 
			 North East Region 18,402 16,180 15,346 29,953 27,888 27,113 
			 Cheshire 4,594 4,665 4,625 7,582 7,588 8,820 
			 Cumbria 1,373 1,150 1,115 4,041 3,126 3,368 
			 Greater Manchester 42,493 37,264 31,969 45,439 43,328 42,806 
			 Lancashire 6,504 6,151 6,154 14,308 14,202 14,861 
			 Merseyside 16,775 16,157 15,081 16,960 14,220 14,901 
			 North West Region 71,739 65,387 58,944 88,330 82,464 84,756 
			 Humberside 6,812 6,033 6,501 15,068 13,382 14,843 
			 North Yorkshire 2,622 2,502 2,349 5,974 5,083 5,822 
			 South Yorkshire 11,918 8,939 8,294 17,605 17,470 20,427 
			 West Yorkshire 21,197 20,171 23,765 37,101 37,817 41,671 
			 Yorkshire and the Humber Region 42,549 37,645 40,909 75,748 73,752 82,763 
			 Derbyshire 5,472 4,177 3,832 12,649 11,560 12,471 
			 Leicestershire 6,052 4,734 4,604 12,888 11,466 11,749 
			 Lincolnshire 1,998 1,797 1,885 4,873 4,830 4,897 
			 Northamptonshire 3,921 3,722 3,758 8,334 7,718 7,577 
			 Nottinghamshire 7,035 7,135 7,714 17,681 18,474 20,818 
			 East Midlands Region 24,478 21,565 21,793 56,425 54,048 57,512 
			 Staffordshire 6,003 5,484 5,637 11,598 10,587 12,314 
			 Warwickshire 2,519 2,246 2,118 6,102 5,184 5,899 
			 West Mercia 4,690 4,079 3,336 11,053 9,139 9,725 
			 West Midlands 33,230 27,753 25,385 43,801 39,594 38,239 
			 West Midlands Region 46,442 39,562 36,476 72,554 64,504 66,177 
			 Bedfordshire 4,531 4,114 3,873 9,911 8,478 8,852 
			 Cambridgeshire 3,596 2,975 2,941 8,847 8,373 9,804 
			 Essex 7,174 6,826 7,505 13,255 12,921 13,356 
			 Hertfordshire 3,452 3,796 3,810 9,126 11,094 10,453 
			 Norfolk 2,983 2,280 1,888 7,445 7,543 7,909 
			 Suffolk 1,742 1,765 1,693 4,759 4,526 5,222 
			 Eastern Region 23,478 21,756 21,710 53,343 52,935 55,596 
			 London, City of 212 252 380 399 412 511 
			 Metropolitan Police 62,791 62,462 62,112 112,206 105,701 112,146 
			 London Region 63,003 62,714 62,492 112,605 106,113 112,657 
			 Hampshire 7,159 6,370 6,506 16,204 15,812 15,353 
			 Kent 8,248 8,261 7,237 14,217 15,476 13,361 
			 Surrey 2,091 2,995 2,881 5,364 6,835 6,513 
			 Sussex 7,721 6,940 5,442 17,419 16,851 15,798 
			 Thames Valley 14,492 11,479 10,255 35,972 31,377 31,525 
			 South East Region 39,711 36,045 32,321 89,176 86,351 82,550 
			 Avon and Somerset 10,953 10,430 12,181 23,458 21,918 28,610 
			 Devon and Cornwall 4,366 3,807 3,392 17,072 16,338 14,157 
			 Dorset 2,998 2,609 2,499 8,429 7,049 7,310 
			 Gloucestershire 2,531 1,893 1,828 7,713 6,571 6,312 
			 Wiltshire 1,615 1,346 1,267 4,983 3,925 3,997 
			 South West Region 22,463 20,085 21,167 61,655 55,801 60,386 
			
			 Dyfed-Powys 868 861 841 1,335 1,259 1,209 
			 Gwent 3,393 3,074 2,610 5,714 5,035 4,406 
			 North Wales 2,310 1,903 1,949 5,191 5,283 5,712 
			 South Wales 15,850 12,019 11,557 17,203 14,218 14,324 
			 Wales 22,421 17,857 16,957 29,443 25,795 25,651 
			 England and Wales 374,686 338,796 328,115 669,232 629,651 655,161 
		
	
	Note:
	The data in this table is prior to the introduction of the National Crime Recording Standard in April 2002. These figures are not directly comparable with those for later years.
	
		Table 2: Vehicle crime offences recorded by the police 2002–03 and 2003–04
		
			  Theft of a vehicle Theft from a vehicle 
			 Police force area and region 2002–03 2003–04 2002–03 2003–04 
		
		
			 Cleveland 4,468 4,463 9,826 8,030 
			 Durham 2,423 2,369 5,023 4,704 
			 Northumbria 6,981 6,445 13,283 11,644 
			 North East Region 13,872 13,277 28,132 24,378 
			  
			 Cheshire 4,503 3,994 9,400 8,850 
			 Cumbria 1,244 1,060 3,509 3,054 
			 Greater Manchester 26,252 21,870 41,022 37,414 
			 Lancashire 5,585 5,231 13,289 11,468 
			 Merseyside 13,081 11,403 14,973 14,961 
			 North West Region 50,665 43,558 82,193 75,747 
			  
			 Humberside 7,607 7,619 14,881 13,810 
			 North Yorkshire 2,623 2,672 6,947 6,844 
			 South Yorkshire 10,241 9,621 20,948 19,573 
			 West Yorkshire 22,867 19,473 41,340 36,287 
			 Yorkshire and the Humber Region 43,338 39,385 84,116 76,514 
			  
			 Derbyshire 4,062 3,571 12,730 10,787 
			 Leicestershire 4,576 3,986 11,410 10,030 
			 Lincolnshire 2,101 1,932 5,756 4,571 
			 Northamptonshire 3,817 3,642 8,051 9,069 
			 Nottinghamshire 8,782 8,014 22,227 20,303 
			 East Midlands Region 23,338 21,145 60,174 54,760 
			  
			 Staffordshire 4,463 4,209 10,094 9,576 
			 Warwickshire 2,282 2,125 6,195 5,131 
			 West Mercia 3,371 3,432 9,705 8,702 
			 West Midlands 23,598 23,217 37,240 33,894 
			 West Midlands Region 33,714 32,983 63,234 57,303 
			  
			 Bedfordshire 3,111 2,834 8,323 7,337 
			 Cambridgeshire 3,638 3,307 9,707 7,365 
			 Essex 7,664 7,283 13,906 13,757 
			 Hertfordshire 4,287 4,323 12,315 11,916 
			 Norfolk 2,288 2,173 8,451 6,223 
			 Suffolk 1,606 1,459 4,676 4,323 
			 Eastern Region 22,594 21,379 57,378 50,921 
			  
			 London, City of 334 226 360 357 
			 Metropolitan Police 58,405 55,158 114,987 103,899 
			 London Region 58,739 55,384 115,347 104,256 
			  
			 Hampshire 6,278 5,822 15,985 14,947 
			 Kent 7,138 6,749 13,676 12,492 
			 Surrey 3,110 2,947 6,879 6,973 
			 Sussex 5,992 5,313 15,116 13,463 
			 Thames Valley 9,111 8,753 28,518 26,710 
			 South East Region 31,629 29,584 80,174 74,585 
			  
			 Avon and Somerset 11,983 8,705 24,266 20,303 
			 Devon and Cornwall 3,907 3,396 15,470 13,205 
			 Dorset 2,276 2,199 7,141 6,404 
			 Gloucestershire 1,977 2,264 5,763 6,143 
			 Wiltshire 1,308 1,265 4,243 4,185 
			 South West Region 21,451 17,829 56,883 50,240 
			  
			 Dyfed-Powys 833 795 1,195 1,530 
			 Gwent 3,046 3,507 5,286 5,416 
			 North Wales 2,087 2,038 6,005 5,575 
			 South Wales 11,844 9,793 18,579 17,289 
			 Wales 17,810 16,133 31,065 29,810 
			  
			 England and Wales 317,150 290,657 658,696 598,514 
		
	
	Note:
	The data in this table takes account of the introduction of the National Crime Recording Standard in April 2002. These figures are not directly comparable with those for earlier years.

Extradition

Michael Ancram: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the Government's policy is regarding UK nationals detained abroad being extradited or transferred to a third country which may inflict the death penalty.

Jack Straw: holding answer 6 December 2004
	The UK Parliament and government are opposed to the use of the death penalty anywhere in the world. We would never acquiesce nor facilitate the extradition or transfer of a UK national from one third country to another in circumstances where the national concerned might face the death penalty. We would always make representations on behalf of the national.

Iraq

Michael Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the interim administration in Iraq on the Chaldo-Assyrian Christian community; and if he will make a statement.

Douglas Alexander: I refer the hon. Member to the answer my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (Mr. Rammell) gave my hon. Friend the Member for Pendle (Mr. Prentice), on 17 November 2004, Official Report, column 1552W.

Israel

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the Israeli authorities on the recent judgments concerning the legality of the security wall.

Douglas Alexander: I refer my hon. Friend to the reply my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Mr. Rammell) gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Ogmore (Huw Irranca-Davies) on 14 December 2004 (UIN 202938).

Special Advisers

Andrew Tyrie: To ask the Prime Minister whether his special advisers have written to external (a) bodies and (b) individuals in their official capacity since May 1997.

Tony Blair: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him by the then Minister for the Cabinet Office (Ruth Kelly) on 14 December 2004.

UN Declaration for Indigenous People's Rights

Sarah Teather: To ask the Prime Minister what (a) discussions he has had with and (b) representations he has received from Commonwealth governments regarding the proposed Draft UN Declaration for Indigenous People's Rights.

Tony Blair: As far as I am aware, I have not received any representations from, or had any with, Commonwealth governments on this issue.

Census Records

Mike Hancock: To ask the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs 
	(1)  what plans the Department has to introduce an 80-year closure period for census records; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  if the Secretary of State will allow family historians access to the personal records from the (a) 1911 and (b) 1921 Census;

Christopher Leslie: It is government policy that all decennial returns, which contain personally sensitive information supplied in confidence, should remain closed for 100 years. It is very important that public confidence is maintained in the confidentiality assurances given by the Government to citizens when they are required to complete their census forms.
	It would, therefore, be inappropriate to introduce an earlier closure peiod.

Departmental Properties

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what his estimate is of the (a) annual cost and (b) total value of the empty properties owned by (i) his Department, (ii) his agencies and (iii) other public bodies for which he has had responsibility in each of the last two years.

Ian Pearson: The information you have requested for the Northern Ireland Office (NIO), its agencies, and other bodies for which it is responsible is detailed as follows.
	
		
			  Northern Ireland Office (£) Northern Ireland Office agencies (£) Other public bodies for which NIO is responsible 
		
		
			 2002–03
			 Annual cost 4,335 150,000 0 
			 Value 264,000 (29)23,000,000 0 
			 
			 2003–04
			 Annual cost 1,964 165,794 0 
			 Value 145,000 (29)23,400,000 0 
		
	
	(29) The site of the former Maze prison, valued at £23,000,000 was transferred to the Office of the First and Deputy First Minister for Northern Ireland with effect from 31 March 2004.
	This answer relates only to the Northern Ireland Office and does not include information in respect of the 11 Departments of the Northern Ireland Administration.

Travel Costs

David Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the total travel costs to his Department have been for (a) Ministers, (b) Special Advisers and (c) what the travel costs for officials in all NI Departments and their Agencies including the NIO each year since 1997.

Paul Murphy: The travel costs for the Northern Ireland Office (NIO), including its Agencies but not its NDPBs, analysed by Ministers and Special Advisers is only available from 2000–01. The costs are as follows.
	
		
			  2003–04 2002–03 2001–02 2000–01 
		
		
			 (a) Ministers 1,245,512 1,051,504 847,426 842,177 
			 (b) Special Advisers 37,101 22,656 27,762 1,822 
			 Total travel cost 1,282,613 1,074,160 875,188 843,999 
		
	
	For travel costs for officials in all NI Departments and their Agencies, including the NIO, I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Twickenham on 8 September 2004, Official Report, column 1322W.
	The travel costs for Special Advisers during 2000–01 were low as there were none in post for a large part of this fiscal year.
	The increase in Minister's travel costs from 2001–02 to 2002–03 result from an increase in the number of NIO Ministers due to the suspension of the devolved administration and the re-introduction of Direct Rule.